Letter of the Day | Turning a corner on crime?

Have we done it? Have we finally convinced ourselves that Jamaica's crime problem can only be solved by us Jamaicans? Have we now realised that crime fighting is a collective effort, 'everybody ting'?

Recently, we have been treated to stories that indicate we are on the right path. Crime Stop has reported that more Jamaicans are voluntarily providing information. This means more of us have grown comfortable telling the security forces what we know about acts of violence, robberies, and other crimes. Perhaps we've grown weary of seeing our fellow Jamaicans suffer with no end in sight.

Crime Stop's Manager Prudence Gentles has said since the cash-for-guns initiative was announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, the calls to her office have doubled, growing from 12 in August to 24 this month. While it can be argued that these are relatively 'small' numbers, we remain enthusiastic that these numbers will triple, quadruple and quintuple.

This month, we have seen the zone of special operations (ZOSO) reap success, the seizure of high-powered weapons, handguns and several rounds of ammunition, the death of Jamaica's most wanted man, Marlon 'Duppy Film' Perry, and Clarendon's most wanted man, Christopher Lynch, o/c 'Sh**ta' turn himself over to the police. Dare I say, I feel optimistic that the work being done by the Ministry of National Security has began to bear fruit.

As Jamaicans, we owe it to each other. To share what we know, to give information to the police if we have it, and to care for each other as we work diligently and creatively towards a better Jamaica.